News Release

Martin County Residents Invited to Open House Concerning Emerald Ash Borer

Public can also weigh in on adoption of formal quarantine of Martin County

Residents of Martin County are invited to a public meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 regarding the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) in the county.

On August 22, 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed several EAB were found in a trap northeast of the city of Welcome.

Those attending the upcoming open house will have an opportunity to gather more information on EAB and local options to deal with the insect, and learn how residents can limit the spread of the bug. Experts from the MDA, University of Minnesota, and other state and federal partner agencies will be available to answer questions.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the adoption of a formal EAB quarantine of Martin County. An emergency quarantine was placed on the area when EAB was discovered. The MDA will take comments on the formal quarantine through October 10, 2017 and proposes to adopt the quarantine on October 16, 2017. The quarantine limits the movement of ash trees and limbs, and hardwood firewood out of the county. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab. Comments can be made at the open house or by contacting:

Emerald ash borer larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Minnesota is highly susceptible to the destruction caused by invasive insect. The state has approximately one billion ash trees, the most of any state in the nation. For more information on emerald ash borer, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.